M Schwartz - Business Ethics: Theory, Choices, and Dilemmas

Foundations of Business Ethics

Series editors: W. Michael Hoffman and Robert E. Frederick

Written by an assembly of the most distinguished figures in business ethics, the Foundations of Business Ethics series aims to explain and assess the fundamental issues that motivate interest in each of the main subjects of contemporary research. In addition to a general introduction to business ethics, individual volumes cover key ethical issues in management, marketing, finance, accounting, and computing. The books, which are complementary yet complete in themselves, allow instructors maximum flexibility in the design and presentation of course materials without sacrificing either depth of coverage or the discipline-based focus of many business courses. The volumes can be used separately or in combination with anthologies and case studies, depending on the needs and interests of the instructors and students.

1. John R. Boatright, Ethics in Finance, third edition
2. Ronald Duska, Brenda Shay Duska, and Julie Ragatz, Accounting Ethics, second edition
3. Richard T. De George, The Ethics of Information Technology and Business
4. Patricia H. Werhane and Tara J. Radin with Norman E. Bowie, Employment and Employee Rights
5. Norman E. Bowie with Patricia H. Werhane, Management Ethics
6. Lisa H. Newton, Business Ethics and the Natural Environment
7. Kenneth E. Goodpaster, Conscience and Corporate Culture
8. George G. Brenkert, Marketing Ethics
9. Al Gini and Ronald M. Green, Ten Virtues of Outstanding Leaders: Leadership and Character
10. Mark S. Schwartz, Business Ethics: An Ethical Decision-Making Approach

This edition first published 2017
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data applied for.

Hardback ISBN: 9781118393444
Paperback ISBN: 9781118393437

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

Cover image: Jules Correa / EyeEm/Gettyimages

To my parents, Albert and Eileen Schwartz

First, I want to thank my wife Iris, for her continued support through all of my endeavors.

I want to thank the Wiley-Blackwell production team including Liam Cooper, Allison Kostka, Marissa Koors, Manish Luthra, Aileen Castell, Jane Grisdale, and Anula Griffiths for their greatly appreciated editorial support. Thanks to Elaine Silverstein for her valuable comments on an earlier version of the manuscript, along with the other anonymous reviewers. Thanks to my sister Lisa Bonen for her editing suggestions.

I want to especially thank Professor W. Michael Hoffman, and not just for his careful reviews and very helpful comments on various drafts of the book manuscript. It was Professor Hoffman, who, along with Professor Robert Frederick as the editors of the Foundations of Business Ethics series, gave me the opportunity to write this book, and I couldn't be more grateful and appreciative.

As this book is about business ethics and ethical decision making, I want to thank Professor Emeritus Wesley Cragg, my former PhD supervisor, who helped provide me with the tools to enter the academic world of business ethics and who completely exemplifies in my mind the character trait of integrity.

I want to thank all of my students over the years. By bringing their personal ethical dilemmas into the classroom for discussion, we (and particularly myself) have all gained a much greater understanding of the challenges we face in trying to find ethically optimal solutions in the real world.

Finally, I need to thank my parents, Albert and Eileen Schwartz, who have always been my greatest role models (including ethical role models) throughout my entire life.

I would like to thank the Journal of Business Ethics, Business Horizons, and Broadview Press for permission to draw on the following previously published articles or book chapters:

1. Schwartz, M.S. 2016. Ethical decision making: an integrated approach. Journal of Business Ethics, 139: 755776 (adapted for Chapter 2).
2. Schwartz, M.S. 2011. Corporate Social Responsibility: An Ethical Approach. Peterborough, Ontario: Broadview Press, pp. 2949 (adapted for Chapter 4).
3. Hoffman, W.M. and Schwartz, M.S. 2015. The morality of external whistleblowing: a commentary on Richard T. De George. Journal of Business Ethics, 127: 771781 (adapted for Chapter 5).
4. Schwartz, M.S. 2013. Developing and sustaining an ethical corporate culture: the core elements. Business Horizons, 56: 3950 (adapted for Chapter 6).

As we live our lives, whether as a parent or child, spouse or partner, relative or friend, or employee or manager, we presumably try to be the best that we can be in what we are doing. We want to live up to all expectations; those of others and of ourselves. Our basic goals include making a decent living, enjoying our work careers, making our loved ones proud, and taking care of the well-being of our families in relative security and material comfort. But at the very least, we wish to stay out of trouble, not get fired, avoid being sued, not harm others, and certainly not end up in jail. Basically, we hope to fulfill our responsibilities both at work and at home, while living a good life with no major regrets.

We have many motivations to achieve these goals, including feelings of loyalty, love, responsibility, self-worth, and self-satisfaction. But along the way and on a daily basis, as we attempt to fulfill our life objectives, we inevitably face